Policing In America

During this podcast I have a robust conversation with award-winning writer/director Mathew Solomon.  Despite our different points of view, perspectives, and opinions we find a great deal of common ground and hopefully set the example for how dialogue and debate should occur.  

Bob Scales shares his insights and experiences with Seattle PD and their Consent Decree.  Fair-minded, reasonable, and academically rigorous Bob is a pleasure to listen to and has a lot to say.

In this episode, I continue my post-Memphis series with Dr. Frank Tortorello.  Dr. Tortorello is a trained and educated cultural anthropologist, author, researcher, and strategist.  Dr. Tortorello has a number of articles and his book can be found here https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08N6R8F44&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_P81GM772XRDZAXDCP72P   Is it police culture or personal choice?  Is it individual values or organizational pressures? Hear what Frank has to say - it's amazing!

Democratic Strategist, nationally syndicated radio host, and FOX News contributor Leslie Marshall and I discuss what many in policing see as a no-brainer. Media Bias when it comes to covering the police.  Leslie is known for her honesty and fair perspective.  Hear what she has to say about this topic and the racism in America today.  

Join Sgt. Tom Datro and his guest Charles Fan Lehman, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute as they discuss data in policing. The Manhattan Institute is a conservative non-profit American think tank focused on domestic policy and urban affairs, established in Manhattan in 1977. Lehman is currently working on their Policing and Public Safety Initiative and as contributing editor for the City Journal. In this episode, they discuss data in policing, the defunding of the police movement, and the repercussions of George Floyd’s death.  In this episode you will learn: Lehman’s opinion on the current state of policing “The Minneapolis Effect?”  Extending the probationary period for new officers The importance of data-driven policing  “Data on policing in America is terrible... it comes out slow... it’s voluntary reporting” - Charles Lehman   Connect with Charles Fan Lehman on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharlesFLehman Website: https://www.manhattan-institute.org/   Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/policinginamericapodcast/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com

Join Sgt. Tom Datro and his guest Lydia Guzman the Chairwomen of the Phoenix PD and the Dept of Public Safety's Hispanic Advisory Boards as they talk about accountability in policing. In 2017, Lydia’s actions as well as those from other activists helped convict Sheriff Joe Arpaio. In this episode you will learn: When Sheriff Joe crossed the line.  Reappropriating funds for Mental Health experts  What to do when a police officer gets "the jitters" after a shooting.  The problem with the sheriff being an elected.  Use of force and what keeps her up at night.  Read The Book: Driving while Brown  https://www.amazon.com/Driving-While-Brown-Sheriff-Resistance/dp/0520294084 Connect with Lydia Guzman on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/lydiaguzman?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LydiaGuzmans   Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/policinginamericapodcast/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com      

Join Sgt. Tom Datro and his guest Taheim Bryan, the writer and producer of the movie Equal Standard as they talk about systemic racism and the American police force. They compare policing styles in different parts of the country, and share statistics as they discuss the murder of George Floyd. They also have an uncomfortable conversation about what happens when people make "generalizations" about a community based on the color of their skin. In this episode you will learn: What inspired Taheim Bryan to write Equal Standard “I got convicted from the womb” - Taheim Bryan How America witnessed a "modern day lynching" with George Floyd Agendas, Police Oaths, Racial Profiling and Redlining in Policing  Understanding the difference between "living vs surviving" and how "living well is a privilege. Watch Equal Standard: https://www.equalstandardmovie.com/    Connect with Taheim Bryan on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taheim-bryan-66985242/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamtaheim1st Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealtaheim/   Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com  

Join Sgt. Tom Datro and Colonel James  Minnich, an academic, author, and retired U.S. Army Colonel as they talk about leadership in policing. Minnich has in-depth experiences in NE Asia since 1982, including 15 years of duty in Korea. He is a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii where he previously served as Associate Dean, Senior Military Professor, and Senior Military Officer before retiring as a U.S. Army Colonel after 37 years of active duty in 2019. 
 Definition of Leadership: "I see leadership as an act of inspiring and influencing people. By providing purpose, direction, and motivation to help them think and act." - Colonel Minnich The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - fear of bringing things up is one of those dysfunctions that creates “yes-man” organizations.  Crises in leadership The importance of accountability in policing  People as the priority vs People as the problem Connect with Colonel James on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-minnich/ School: https://apcss.org/college/faculty/minnich/   Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com   Resources Mentioned:    From Good to Great The Speed of Trust  Kotter 8 Step The Five Dysfunctions of a Team  

Join Sgt. Tom Datro and Deon Joseph discuss his open letter to Lebron James and why he is hoping to work with him to save lives. The talk about comments by Kamala Harris, racism in the policing, and the importance of being more proactive in regards to mentally illness.  Open Letter to Lebron James in response to his tweet. What it's like answering questions on "big media" shows  Mental Health Issues on Skid Row and beyond Having "the talk" about police with children  Connect with Deon Joseph on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deon-joseph-898549124/   Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com

“It is disappointing that I have to make the following statement, however, with the Derek Chauvin Trial coming to a close combined with the recent controversial Officer Involved Shootings in Minneapolis and Chicago. Many Law Enforcement agencies are hoping for the best, but must prepare for the worst. I am still an active member in law enforcement and my duties and responsibilities as such remain my first priority. Therefore, I must take a week, maybe longer from the Policing in America podcast.  This breaks my heart because we are at a point when effective communication is vital. With that, please stay safe. and let us each take on the burden of ensuring we do not move backwards. Our communities rightfully have the expectation that they can express their feelings in the public square, but that comes with the responsibility of doing so productively, not destructively. Our officers also have the expectation that they will not be attacked for things they have nothing to do with. We are all in this together so let’s not argue, let’s not insult.  Let’s have the conversations that are necessary for change.”

Dr. Yilmaz is a Harvard-trained doctor of neuroscience and is working with the best and brightest at Stanford.  Her work is creating a better understanding of the limits of human potential under stress.  While it seems like every bad outcome in policing is said to be the result of systemic bias, racism, or institutionalized marginalization there are a few who are stepping away from social science and taking a deeper dive into the hard science of how the brain works under stress.  What they are finding might change the way we train police and create a more realistic set of expectations for those in the police uniform.  

Join Sgt. Tom Datro as he interviews Sgt. Cleon Joseph about what it is like to be a black officer who loves his community. They have uncomfortable conversations about growing up in a "well-off" family before losing it all in a recession, becoming an activist and the internal struggle he went through when applying to become a police officer. They talk about the death of George Floyd, reparations and the underlying implicit bias that reveals itself every time an officer pulls over a black man.  Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com  

Join Sgt. Tom Datro and his guest Kristy Hodson PhD., as they discuss the neuroscience, specifically the possible schema at play in the officer Derek Chauvin's mind as they engaged with George Floyd. They talk about how our body reacts when our belief system is challenged (whether we realized it or not). And, Kristy shares a personal story about how her beliefs toward police where challenged due to an interaction with her family member. Defining "schema" and discussing neuroscience at play.  "I always thought police were the good guys until..."  The importance of asking yourself if you're in an informational silo.  Why more education for police is needed.   "We are so much more than the results of our worst mistake." CORRECTION FROM PRODUCTION:  There was an editing error around 18:00 mins that added silences and had the guests speaking over each other from time to time. This was not on behalf of the host. The issue has been adjusted. Thank you  Connect with Kristy Hodson on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-hodson-619394a/   Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com

Join Sgt. Tom Datro and his guest Arif Alikhan as they discuss the recent shootings in Atlanta that took the lives of six Asian American women and two others. They talk about the importance of police officers who are good at decision making and lastly, they ask themselves if racism is systemic, institutional and/or if the country has made progress? Alikhan is President & Chief Legal Counsel for Taclogix, Inc. Most recently, Arif was the Director of Constitutional Policing and Policy for LAPD.     The state of policing from your perspective.  “One bad rat in the kitchen… tarnishes all police.”  Attacks and hate towards AAPI Community Whether or not there is sufficient evidence to prove what happened in Atlanta is a hate crime? The importance of accountability in Policing in America.      Connect with Arif Alikhan on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arifalikhan/    Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com

Join Sgt. Tom Datro and his guest Lt. Justin Paquette, from the State of New Hampshire's Police Standards and Training Council as they discuss the call to “Defund The Police,” the idea that competence breeds competence and whether or not Active Bystandardership could have saved not only George Floyd, but Derek Chauvin as well.   In this episode you will learn: Pros and cons of defunding the police  Excessive Force vs Force Training in Policing  The problem with how police are portrayed in TV Extreme Accountability  The “Secret” Mental Health problem    Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com

Join Sgt. Tom Datro and his guest Mbye Njie, an activist, who, after seeing the fallout from the Michael Brown case in 2015 and his own unpleasant encounters with police, set out to make a systematic change and help other BIPOC by founding Legal Equalizer. The mobile app allows users to capture police encounters after being pulled over, automatically notify loved ones in real-time, provide information on legal rights involving that encounter, and receive real-time legal advice. In this episode you'll learn:  Ways to help protect yourself during traffic stops or other encounters (e.g. hate crime, school shooting) How to help deescalate incidents of racial profiling Tips for overcoming adversity Ways people can get involved in their communities and be part of the change Njie talks about PD's internal "don't snitch" policy   Connect with Mbye Njie on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbyenjie/ Download the App: https://legalequalizer.com/   Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com

Join Sgt. Tom Datro and his Guest Jonathan Aronie Chair, Georgetown Law/Sheppard Mullin ABLE Project Board of Advisors and Government Talks Attorney as the discuss “data-backed” police trainings like: ABLE: Active Bystandardship for Law Enforcement and how it works. They also talk about how sleep may be a key factor in good and bad policing in America.  In this episode you’ll learn: Police lessons learned from the death of George Floyd  The ABLE training system Why Aronie says he believes “bias training doesn’t work”  What impact did the sit in at Woolworths have on the civil rights movement? Why sleep deprivation is the biggest not talked about problem   Connect with Jonathan Aronie on: Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaronie/   Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com

Join Sergeant Tom Datro and his guest SWAT Officer Jonathan Pultz, talk about the trauma police officers experience call after call and how it can influence their actions. In this episode, Pultz talks about transitioning from a Warrior Mindset to a Guardian Mindset in policing. He discusses his personal struggles with this concept and how maturity, age, education and wellness all play a part in decisions police officers make.    In this episode you will learn: The difference between the Warrior & Guardian mindsets The importance of empathy in policing Overcoming the negative connotation associated with the "Guardian Mentality."   Current struggles to recruit new police officers  Officer Pultz talks about his first crises negotiation   Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com  

Join Sgt. Tom Datro and his guest Lisa Kurtz, the ABLE Project Director with the Innovative Policing Program at Georgetown University Law Center talk about restoring the integrity of police by creating a law enforcement culture that supports peer intervention. The two discuss Consent Decree, police misconduct and reframing what the idea of loyalty means for police officers.  In this episode you will learn: How police misconduct occurs (overtime)  Defining Consent Decree Compliance  Why we don’t have wrong-doing in a vacuum  The meaning of Active Bystandardship and Peer Intervention Reframing the idea of what it means to be loyal to a fellow officer    Connect with Lisa Kurtz on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaabigailkurtz/   Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com

Join Sergeant Tom Datro and his guest Dr. Bryant T. Marks, Ph.D., talk about biases, stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, the police force, the media, and so much more. In this episode, Dr. Bryant explains how implicit bias takes us in the wrong direction once in a while and how racial bias can still exist on individual levels, even in those who do not have systemic power. As Dr. Bryant defines, implicit bias is mostly not about the intent but merely the brain at work.  In this episode you will learn:   The only two (2) ingredients you need to have an implicit bias. Defining stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Racist and racism as a term; who has systemic power? The media and on taking control of your narrative. What is the Implicit Association Test (IAT)?     About Dr. Bryant T. Marks: Dr. Bryant T. Marks, Sr. is a minister, researcher, trainer, and award-winning educator. Dr. Marks has provided diversity, equity, and inclusion training for eighteen years. His personal and professional mission is to develop the knowledge, wisdom, and skills of others that will allow them to reach their full potential and live their lives with purpose and passion.  Dr. Marks is the Founding Director of the National Training Institute on Race and Equity and is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Morehouse College. He served on President Obama’s Board of Advisors with the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans and as a senior advisor with the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  Dr. Marks was a contributor/trainer with the Obama Administration’s My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) and 21st Century policing programs. Dr. Marks has provided implicit bias training to over 2,000 Police Chiefs and executives via a series of briefings at the White House in 2016 and several thousand patrol officers in local police departments, including the entire Los Angeles Police Department.  He has also provided training related to diversity and implicit bias to individuals in education (K-12 and higher education), philanthropy, non-profits, the local and federal government, and several other sectors. He serves on several national boards and is a highly sought after speaker and trainer. Dr. Marks holds a B.A. in psychology and a minor in economics from Morehouse College, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Michigan. Dr. Marks conducts research and professional development in diversity and implicit bias, Black male psychology and development, the academic achievement of minority college students, innovations in STEM education, and personal passion and productivity. Dr. Marks is married to Dr. Kimberly Marks and father to Kim, Zion-Trinity, and Bryant II.   Connect with Dr. Bryant T. Marks on: Website: https://www.ntire.training Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryant-t-marks-ph-d-0b57433 Twitter: https://twitter.com/drbryantmarks   Connect with Policing in America Podcast on: Website: https://www.policinginamerica.com/ Email: policinginamericapodcast@gmail.com Take the Implicit Association Test: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html